David Cassidy In New York. Broadway. Part 1.

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Still a few days left to the end of 2024, but I've already started thinking about 2025 and David Cassidy Historical Marker, in West Orange, New Jersey. 

We have the date now, 2-day celebration, 30-31 July. Looks like a lot of time, but it will pass very quickly, and I'll do everything to be there.

Of course if you go so far, it's worth seeing more. New York is the obvious place to spend a few days walking in David Cassidy's footsteps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rV6PBsW0qUw

Yes, he was 'a boy from New York' as we often call him. Born there, lived in the late 60s and in the 90s, debuted on Broadway and performed there in the 90s, appeared as a guest star on many TV and radio programs. So, let's first talk about theaters. On Broadway. in Midtown Manhattan.

As we know, when David was only three and a half, he saw his father in 'Wish You Were Here', and he wanted to be a performer, just like him. It's amazing how vividly he remembered it all his life, and he recorded the title song himself more than 60 years later. The Broadway production of 'Wish You Were Here' opened at the Imperial Theatre (George Abbott Way) on June 25, 1952, and closed on November 28, 1953, after 598 performances. Jack played Chick Miller.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pScpalsrNVI

In 1952 Jack Cassidy performed in another important for his son production. In 'South Pacific' at the Majestic Theatre (44th Street). David remembered his dad singing often this song at home..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkOGLgKZ4_I

DC often complained about his part-time job in New York in the fall of 1968, and the countless auditions. But in fact he got his first role pretty quickly. 

We have a short note on the website, published on November 1, 1968 (Indianapolis Star), that "Jack Cassidy's son will make his B'way debut in 'Fig Leaves Are Falling'. At the Broadhurst Theatre (44th Street). It was opened in 1917, has more than 1,200 seats and both the facade and the auditorium interior are New York City landmarks. Btw. I've checked what will be on in July 2025 ..'Boop! The Musical'..Tickets are rather expensive, but we'll wait and see.

Let's return to 1968. David was on a cloud nine when he got the role of Billy. And the money, a small fortune for him, $175 a week, four times more than he got at his part-time job. He phoned his boss to announce he was quitting, and the next call was to his father. It was a great success for him, a moment of sheer happiness. He was so proud of himself, and hoped Jack would be proud of him too..

We have an audio of 18-year old David Cassidy singing in his Broadway's debut.

https://www.davidcassidy.com/fansite/TheatrePages/FigleavesForOurSake.mp3

The show premiered on January 2, 1969, and closed after 4 performances. It's still remembered, first of all as one of the biggest flops in Broadway's history. And that in spite of 17 previews and 4 performances Dorothy Loudon won the Drama Desk Award and was nominated for Tony. And of course it's remembered because of David Cassidy's stage debut.

It must have been a difficult and very valuable lesson for him. DC was working very hard before the premiere, he learned a lot about Broadway and how working there really looked like. That only big stars were important and only them got the best lines and the best songs. And how it was to be the part of a team.

He returned on Broadway as a star. 14 years later.

https://www.davidcassidy.com/fansite/TheatrePages/FigLeavesAreFalling.html





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